Probably the most difficult job in the world and the most unappreciated one is being a stay-at-home mommy (SAHM). You’re a cook, a cleaner, a babysitter, a driver, a caretaker all in one but you rarely get the appreciation or remuneration you deserve for it. However, being a stay-at-home mommy, especially when you were previously working can take a toll on your sanity. It can become very difficult to be at home for the majority of the day, even though you’re spending it taking care of your little ones and nobody can ever judge you for it. This is why its so important to develop a schedule and establish some ground rules so that, at the end of the day, you’re a happy mum with no complaints.
1. Get Dressed Every Day
Knowing that you’ll be spending all your time at home can make you lazy but make it a point that you take out some time every single day to get dressed and look your best. You aren’t doing this for anyone but yourself only. Tending to yourself will only boost your self-confidence even if you don’t plan on stepping out.
2. Find Something You Love
Don’t forget that your identity is more than that of a mom. So you need to find an activity that is just yours and that you can do when the kids are asleep or busy. It can be something as simple as knitting or cooking or something more complicated like working out or learning a new skill. This will help you take out time for yourself and you’ll feel fulfilled and happy at the end of the day.
3. Remember You’re A Mom…
…not a maid. It’s a common assumption that women who’re at home to take care of the kids will be doing all of the chores like cooking and cleaning too. Things should happen as they would if you were working. Delegate chores to your kids and husband too. Let them pick up after themselves. They live in the house too. You can even get professional help like a cook or a cleaner if you feel like.
4. Don’t Be Hard On Your Partner
If you were working pre-babies, it’s easy to feel resentment towards your partner that he’s there enjoying life but you’re here stuck at home. So don’t rely on him for constant validation or to read your mind or know what you need by reading your mind. Be vocal about what you want if you’re feeling down or how he can help you to do better. So don’t compete with him, work with him to make your life better!
5. Remember To Take Breaks
Wanting a break is absolutely okay. Nobody can judge you for it. After all, think about it – when you’re working in a office, you get leaves on the weekend and there are no weekly offs for when you’re a weekly mom. So taking a break once in a while is only fair. If a family member you trust offers help, take them up on it. You can return the favor later. If possible, you can even leave your children with their grandparents and go for a weekend getaway!
6. Have A Support Group
Nobody can understand your struggles of being a stay-at-home mom like the other SAHMs can. So build a strong support system for yourself through WhatsApp groups, weekly meetings or whatever works you. This way you’ll have someone to go to for advice or to vent to. They’ll understand exactly what you’re going through and be able to guide you through it!
7. Do Not Get Into Petty Comparisons
If you’re on social media (which we all are), it’s really easy to get into comparisons with others. Maybe your childhood friends don’t have kids yet and you can see them traveling to places you’ve always wanted to visit. Or maybe your former colleagues are doing better than ever in their jobs while you’re at home. Seeing all this may make you feel that you’re not exactly where you are but remember, comparisons are only the first step to being unhappy with your life.
8. Let Loose Sometimes
There is nothing like perfection, especially when it comes to motherhood. For once, take a break from trying to make everything perfect and just let go. Play with your kids, relive your childhood and let those dishes be!
9. Be Grateful
Instead of always thinking about what you’re missing or what life could’ve been, focus on what you have now. Thinking about how you could’ve had paychecks or could’ve been having a nice lunch with friends is only going to make you feel bad about yourself. You can, however, make your life better by thinking of the positives in your life like spending all that time with your precious little ones and giving them a beautiful life.
Picture Credit: Shweta Agrawal (Mommy in our Facebook Community)
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